Why Is Israel Called ‘God’s Chosen People’?
In Deuteronomy 7, Moses reminded the Israelites of their position before God as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, providing several important points concerning their status as His Chosen People:
1. Israel was set apart to be a holy people unto God. The Israelites were to be separated from the Gentile nations so they would not become polluted by pagan unrighteousness (vv. 1–5).
2. God selected Israel “to be a people for Himself” (v. 6). Israel’s election was a sovereign act of God’s grace, totally unmerited by the nation.
3. Israel was God’s “special treasure above all the peoples” on Earth (v. 6; cf. Ps. 135:4). Its value is rooted in God’s election of Israel, His covenant relationship with Abraham, and the rescue of His people from Egyptian captivity.
4. Israel’s size had no bearing on God’s choosing (Dt. 7:7). In fact, Israel had fewer people than many nations in that day.
5. God loves Israel (v. 7). His affection for the nation is a divine mystery because it is not motivated by any virtue, righteousness, morality, or integrity found within the nation (Rom. 3:10–18). God’s love for Israel is unconditional (Dt. 7:7), unfailing (Isa. 63:9), and unending (Jer. 31:3).
6. God swore an oath to Israel’s forefather, Abraham. He repeatedly affirmed He would keep His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Dt. 7:8; cf. 1:35; 4:31). These assurances included choosing Israel to be the nation through which the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would come. This promise was fulfilled through a Jewish virgin who gave birth to the Redeemer of mankind (cf. Isa. 7:14; Lk. 1:26–38).
Israel was God’s Servant, chosen to be a light to the Gentile world (Isa. 49:6). But how can this be, considering the nation rejected Jesus as its Messiah? Even though Israel rejected Jesus, many Jewish people have received Him as their personal Savior (Rom. 11:1–7) and taken the light of salvation to the Gentiles. Israel’s rejection is temporary and only in part, not total. One day, all Israel will receive Jesus as the Messiah (vv. 25–27).
The apostle Paul aptly summarized God’s choosing of Israel: “Concerning the election they [Israel] are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [unalterable]” (vv. 28–29).
God’s election of Israel is eternal. His gifts (covenant promises) and calling (Israel’s national election) are unconditional and unchangeable forever.
